Irish Inter-Church Meeting opens in Swords

10. Nov, 2006

PRESS RELEASE

10 NOVEMBER 2006

IRISH INTER-CHURCH MEETING

OPENS IN SWORDS

The Irish Inter-Church Meeting (IICM) opened today in the Emmaus Centre, Swords, County Dublin. Co-chairs Archbishop Sean Brady, Catholic Primate of All Ireland, and Mrs Gillian Kingston, President of the Irish Inter-Church Meeting, welcomed over 80 delegates to this two-day meeting on the theme ‘Light of Christ shines on all’ (John 8.12).

Archbishop Brady said: “In St John’s Gospel, Jesus describes himself as the light of the world. It happened during the feast of the Tabernacles. So, as we have come here on pilgrimage, let’s shed the sentiments of the disciples on the road to Emmaus and take on something of the spirit of joy which permeated that Feast of Tabernacles. It was joyful because it celebrated the harvest of grapes, olives and autumnal fruits. I am sure that many of you have been organising Thanksgiving Services in recent weeks.

“Jesus proclaimed himself ‘The Light of the World’. He had promised that those who followed him would never walk in darkness but would always have the light of life. Yes, of course, the theme of light implies its opposite, darkness. But, as we come together we draw hope – hope from the statement of Christ: that the light is not to be hidden under the bushel but is to shine for all to see.”

Archbishop Brady continued: “We all believe that Jesus, the true light, has come into the world. He declared himself the ‘light of the world’, the treasury. The great candles which have lit here today remind us of the four huge candelabras which were lit every evening at nightfall to light up the courtyard of Jerusalem during the Festival of Tabernacles. They were there to celebrate the light of the presence of God as the pillar of fire. Lit for the people during the wandering in the desert.

“Our shared ecumenical journey takes us from Cork in May 2005, to the Emmaus Centre today. We are also preparing for the Third Ecumenical Assembly, as you all know will be held in Sibiu, next September. At Basil in 1989 and in Graz in 1997, the Christian Churches of Europe resolved to develop the fellowship that exists amongst us. It was agreed that we cannot be content with the present situation if we want to be faithful to the prayer and desire of Christ.

“Things are changing fast in Europe. Last month, for the first time ever, the President’s of Europe’s 34 Catholic Bishops’ Conferences met in Russia in St Petersburg. It was something unthinkable a few years ago. Its guests included representatives of the Moscow Patriarch, Lutheran bishops and representatives of the civic authorities in the City of St Petersburg”.

Also addressing the delegates, Mrs Gillian Kingston, President of the Irish Inter-Church Meeting, said: “We welcome you all to this conference where there are familiar faces and some not yet familiar faces – but a stranger is a friend that we have not yet met. As Christians, we need to make common cause – in the face of the rising tide of secularism – in our encounter with persons of other faiths. ENDS

Notes for Editors:*The Irish Inter-Church Meeting represents a partnership between the Catholic Church and the Irish Council of Churches. It serves as a forum for ecumenical debate and action by churches in Ireland. The first Irish Inter-Church Meetingwas held in the Ballymascanlon Hotel, Co Louth in 1973. *The Irish Council of Churches serves the following 15 members: the Antiochian Orthodox Church in Ireland; the Church of Ireland; Coptic Orthodox in Ireland; Greek Orthodox Church in Britain & Ireland; Lifelink Network of Churches; Lutheran Church in Ireland; Methodist Church in Ireland; Moravian Church Irish District; Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church in Ireland; Presbyterian Church in Ireland; Religious Society of Friends; Rock of Ages Cherubim & Seraphim in Ireland; Romanian Orthodox Church in Ireland; Russian Orthodox Church in Ireland; Salvation Army (Ireland Division). Further information: Martin Long Director of Communications (086 172 7678)Brenda Drumm Communications Officer (087 233 7797)